Audio data routing between multiple wirelessly connected devices

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods to communicate audio data from either an active wireless device or a requesting wireless device to one or more audio reproduction devices that are simultaneously communicatively coupled to both the active wireless device and to the requesting wireless device are disclosed. Responsive to a request from the requesting wireless device to transmit audio data to the one or more audio reproduction devices, the active wireless device determines whether to transmit audio data from the requesting wireless device based at least in part on an audio status of the active wireless device and a set of predetermined arbitration criteria that prioritizes among applications and operating system processes that generate the audio data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/171,558, filed on Jun. 5, 2015, the content of which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

The present technology pertains to routing of data, including audiodata, between multiple wirelessly connected devices.

BACKGROUND

Conventional technology allows one or more audio reproduction devices tobe connected simultaneously to multiple wireless client devices. Thisconventional technology can result in an inferior user experience wheneach of the multiple wireless client devices attempts to send audio datato the one or more audio reproduction devices at or near the same time,resulting in conflicts, confusion, and sudden abrupt changes in outputfrom the one or more audio reproduction devices. Thus, there exists aneed to route audio data intelligently from multiple wirelesslyconnected devices to one or more audio reproduction devices. There alsoexists a need to improve communication between the one or more audioreproduction devices.

SUMMARY

Features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosedprinciples. The features and advantages of the disclosure can berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and otherfeatures of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from thefollowing description and appended claims, or can be learned by thepractice of the principles set forth herein.

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media forproviding an improved user experience by intelligently routing audiodata from multiple wirelessly connected devices to one or more audioreproduction devices are disclosed. An example method includes detectinga current audio status of an active wireless device. The example methodfurther includes determining whether to pass audio data from arequesting wireless device, either directly or via the active wirelessdevice, to either one or both of a pair of wirelessly connected audioreproduction devices based at least in part on the current audio statusof the active wireless device and predetermined arbitration criteria.The method can also include passing the audio data from the requestingwireless device to either one or both of the pair of wirelesslyconnected audio reproduction devices when the current audio status ofthe active wireless device and the audio data from the requestingwireless device meet the predetermined arbitration criteria. Otheradvantages are provided that allow maintaining communication betweenwirelessly connected audio reproduction devices and one or both of theactive wireless device and the requesting wireless device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the principles briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principlesherein are described and explained with additional specificity anddetail through the use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system including a pair of wireless audioreproduction devices connected to an active wireless device and to arequesting wireless device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example system in which an active wireless deviceand a requesting wireless device both send audio data to either or bothof a pair of wireless audio reproduction devices.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example set of predetermined arbitration criteriafor determining whether to pass audio data from a requesting wirelessdevice to either or both of a pair of wireless audio reproductiondevices.

FIG. 3B illustrates another example set of predetermined arbitrationcriteria for determining whether to pass audio data from a requestingwireless device to either or both of a pair of wireless audioreproduction devices.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method for determining whether to passaudio data from a requesting wireless device to either or both of a pairof wireless audio reproduction devices.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method for establishing a connectionbetween a secondary device and either or both of a pair of wirelessaudio reproduction devices.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example system bus computing system architecturefor executing the disclosed technology.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example computer system having a representativechipset architecture for executing the disclosed technology.

DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below.While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understoodthat this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that other components and configurationsmay be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

The disclosed technology addresses the need in the art for routing audiodata from multiple wirelessly connected devices to one or more wirelessaudio reproduction devices. The disclosed technology also addresses theneed for improved communication between the one or more wireless audioreproduction devices.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 including a representative pairof wireless audio reproduction devices, e.g., a pair of wireless earbuds 102, 104, connected to an active wireless device 108 and alsoconnected to a requesting wireless device 106. A user can wear either asingle one of the wireless ear buds, e.g., ear bud 102 or ear bud 104,or the user can wear both wireless ear buds 102, 104 to receive audiodata and to reproduce audio based at least in part on the received audiodata via one or both of the wireless ear buds 102, 104. In one example,the audio data can be monophonic; in which case, wireless ear bud 102and wireless ear bud 104 each receive the same audio data. In anotherexample, the audio data can be stereophonic, such that wireless ear bud102 and wireless ear bud 104 each receive different audio datacorresponding to a left channel and a right channel. In otherembodiments, where only a single wireless ear bud is used, monophonicaudio data, at least one channel of stereophonic audio data, or bothchannels of stereophonic audio data can be sent to the single wirelessear bud in use. When both channels of stereophonic audio data are sent,the single wireless ear bud can mix the stereophonic audio data topresent a monophonic audio reproduction of the stereophonic audio data.

The pair of wireless ear buds (e.g., wireless ear bud 102 and wirelessear bud 104) can be simultaneously connected to the active wirelessdevice 108 and to the requesting wireless device 106. The activewireless device 108 can have an active data connection, i.e., a dataconnection that is active, (e.g., sending audio data), and that has ahigher priority than data connections of other wireless devices withrespect to communication with one or more of the pair of wireless earbuds 102, 104. The requesting wireless device 106 can also be connectedto one or more of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104, and the dataconnection of the requesting wireless device 106 can have a lowerpriority than the data connection of the active wireless device 108 withrespect to one or more of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104. Theactive wireless device 108 with the higher priority data connection canbe referred to as a primary device, while the requesting wireless device106 having the lower priority data connection can be referred to as asecondary device.

The requesting wireless device 106 can request to establish a higherpriority for communication via its data connection with one or more ofthe pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 such that the active wirelessdevice 108 suspends communication over its corresponding data connectionwith one or more of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104. In theexample shown in FIG. 1, the active wireless device 108 can be referredto as a host device, and the requesting wireless device 106 can bereferred to as a wearable device.

As shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the active wireless device 108can be, e.g., a smartphone device and the requesting wireless device 106can be, e.g., a smart watch device. One of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that any wireless device can serve as either an activewireless device or as a requesting wireless device, including a desktop,notebook, laptop, tablet computer, smart phone, smart watch, hybriddevice, wearable device such as glasses, etc. Also, the pair of wirelessear buds (i.e., wireless ear bud 102 and wireless ear bud 104), theactive wireless device 108, and the requesting wireless device 106 caneach communicate with each other via any available wirelesscommunication protocol, including proprietary wireless communicationprotocols and standards-based wireless communication protocols such asBluetooth®, Wi-Fi, etc. Communication between the pair of wireless earbuds 102, 104, the active wireless device 108, and the requestingwireless device 106 can provide for a closed loop status control betweenthe three wireless devices, thus avoiding delays and maintainingcoordinated behavior. Also, the active wireless device 108 and therequesting wireless device 106 can manage audio data communication tothe pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104.

In one aspect of the disclosed technology, either one or both of theactive wireless device 108 and the requesting wireless device 106 can beestablished as a priority connection, indicating a device to which thepair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 will attempt to connect if any linksor connections are lost.

In one aspect of the disclosed technology, if a link between the activewireless device 108 and the requesting wireless device 106 drops, eitherone or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 can serve as acommunication conduit between the active wireless device 108 and therequesting wireless device 106. For example, if a communication link,such as a Bluetooth link, between the active wireless device 108 and therequesting wireless device 106 fails, communication between the activewireless device 108 and the requesting wireless device 106 can be routedthrough the wireless ear bud 102 and/or the wireless ear bud 104. Eitheror both of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 can serve as a bridgeor conduit between the active wireless device 108 and the requestingwireless device 106, e.g., until a direct communication path isre-established between the active wireless device 108 and the requestingwireless device 106. Various predetermined rules can govern the behaviorof incoming calls, outgoing calls, media playback, use of a conduitmode, etc. for the reproduction of audio via the wireless ear buds 102,104 connected to the active wireless device 108 and the requestingwireless device 106.

In another aspect of the disclosed technology, one of the wireless earbuds in the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104, such as wireless ear bud102, can be established as a primary wireless ear bud and cancommunicate with the active wireless device 108 and/or with therequesting wireless device 106 to determine operating parameters forcommunication, such as one or more radio frequency channels, a radiofrequency hopping schedule, link management parameters, messagingparameters, etc. The non-primary wireless ear (such as wireless ear bud104) can obtain the operating parameters from the primary wireless earbud 102 and/or by sniffing/monitoring communication between the primarywireless ear bud 102 and the active wireless device 108 or communicationbetween the primary wireless ear bud 102 and the requesting wirelessdevice 106. In some aspects, the role of which wireless ear bud servesas the primary wireless ear bud can switch, e.g., manually orautomatically, from one wireless ear bud to another wireless ear bud,e.g., based at least in part on one or more factors: (i) detection of achange in wearing status, such as between an out-of-ear wearing status(out-of-ear status) and an in-ear wearing status (in-ear status), (ii)battery levels, or (iii) a manual configuration of primary/secondaryroles for the wireless ear buds 102, 104. In other aspects,automatically switching the role of which wireless ear bud serves as theprimary wireless ear bud can be disabled for accessibility concerns(e.g., if a user has diminished hearing in one ear). In yet anotheraspect, wireless ear bud 102 and wireless ear bud 104 can establish anduse an independent link or communication channel with each other, e.g.,to communicate performance and configuration data between them.

In another aspect of the disclosed technology, the active wirelessdevice 108 can facilitate establishing a connection between therequesting wireless device 106 and either or both of the wireless earbuds 102, 104. For example, the active wireless device 108 can generateparameters and/or keys necessary for a secondary wireless device, suchas the requesting wireless device 106, to establish a connection witheither or both of the wireless ear buds 102, 104. The active wirelessdevice 108 can send parameters/keys to the requesting wireless device106 to permit the requesting wireless device 106 to establish aconnection with either one or both of the wireless ear buds 102, 104. Insome embodiments, the connection can be established autonomously, e.g.,without intervention from a user of the active wireless device 108. Inan exemplary embodiment, for a Bluetooth connection, the requestingwireless device 106 can use keys received from the active wirelessdevice 108 to automatically pair with either one or both of the wirelessear buds 102, 104.

Although a pair of wireless ear buds is shown in FIG. 1, any number ofwired or wirelessly connected audio reproduction devices can utilize thedisclosed technology, including any type of wired or wireless audioheadset.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example system 200 in which an active wirelessdevice 208 and a requesting wireless device 206 both send audio data toeither or both of a pair of wireless audio reproduction devices 202,204. More specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates the active wireless device208 and the requesting wireless device 206 sending data, including audiodata, to either or both of a pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204, thepair of wireless ear buds including wireless ear bud 202 and wirelessear bud 204. Either or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204can determine when to authorize an interrupt request from the requestingwireless device 206 based at least in part on a status of the activewireless device 208 and on predetermined arbitration rules. In oneexample, either or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204 willauthorize an interrupt request from the requesting wireless device 206when the status of the active wireless device 208 meets thepredetermined arbitration rules, and will pass through audio data to thewireless ear buds 202, 204 so that a user can hear audio reproduction ofthe audio data. In a more specific example, either or both of the pairof wireless ear buds 202, 204 can authorize a voicemail interruptrequest from the requesting wireless device 206 when the active wirelessdevice 208 is in a music playing status, and the active wireless device208 can pause music playing on the active wireless device 208 to allowaudio data for the voicemail to pass through to the pair of wireless earbuds 202, 204, thereby permitting a user to listen to audio reproductionof the voicemail audio data. Subsequently, the active wireless device208 can un-pause the music playing on the active wireless device 208,after completion of transfer of the voicemail audio data.

In another example, either one or both of the pair of wireless ear buds202, 204 can be configured to not authorize an interrupt request fromthe requesting wireless device 206 when the status of the activewireless device 208 does not meet the predetermined arbitration rules,and will not allow audio data to pass through to the pair of wirelessear buds, and a user continues to hear audio from the active wirelessdevice 208. In a more specific example, either or both of the pair ofwireless ear buds 202, 204 can determine to not authorize interruptrequests from the requesting wireless device 206 when the activewireless device 208 is in a voice call status or a video chat status.

In another embodiment, the requesting wireless device 206 cancommunicate with the active wireless device 208 to coordinate datatransmission to the wireless ear bud 202 and/or the wireless ear bud204. For example, the requesting wireless device 206 can communicatewith the active wireless device 208 (e.g. using a message, signal,interrupt, or the like) and indicate to the active wireless device 208that the requesting wireless device 206 would like to send data to thewireless ear bud 202 and/or to the wireless ear bud 204. Thecommunication from the requesting wireless device 206 can identify thetype of data that the requesting wireless device 206 would like to send.For example, the communication can indicate that the requesting wirelessdevice 206 would like to send audio corresponding to an alarm or avoicemail to the wireless ear bud 202 and/or to the wireless ear bud204. The active wireless device 208 can determine its current statuswith respect to the wireless ear bud 202 and/or the wireless ear bud204. For example, the active wireless device 208 can determine that itis currently sending audio data to the wireless ear bud 202 and/or tothe wireless ear bud 204, the audio data corresponding to a voice call,music, video, etc. Based at least in part on the current status of theactive wireless device 208 and on a set of predetermined arbitrationrules, the active wireless device 208 can determine that the activewireless device 208 should maintain its higher priority and deny therequest from the requesting wireless device 206. Alternatively, based atleast in part on the current status of the active wireless device 208and on a set of predetermined arbitration rules, the active wirelessdevice 208 can determine that the request from the requesting wirelessdevice 206 should take priority over communication (if any) from theactive wireless device 208, and the active wireless device 208 can stopsending audio data to the wireless ear bud 202 and/or the wireless earbud 204 to permit the requesting wireless device 206 to send audio datato the wireless ear bud 202 and/or the wireless ear bud 204.

FIG. 3A illustrates a table 300 of example predetermined arbitrationcriteria for determining whether to pass audio data from a requestingwireless device 206 to either one or both of a pair of audioreproduction devices, e.g., a pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204,associated with an active wireless device 208. The table 300 of FIG. 3includes a list of sources for audio data for the active wireless device208 and for the requesting wireless device 206. The sources for audiodata listed in table 300 can also be referred to as an audio status orstate for the applicable wireless device. For example, the “Alert”source for the active wireless device 208 can indicate an audio statusor state for the active wireless device 208 in which audio data for analert is being communicated to one or both of the pair of audioreproduction devices, e.g., the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204. Asanother example, the “No Audio” source for the active wireless device208 can indicate an audio status or state for the active wireless device208 in which no audio data is being communicated to one or both of thepair of audio reproduction devices, e.g., the pair of wireless ear buds202, 204. As illustrated by table 300, certain types of audio for whichthe requesting wireless device 206 would like to interrupt the activewireless device 208 to communicate audio data to the pair of wirelessear buds 202, 204 can take priority and be passed through to the pair ofwireless ear buds 202, 204 in place of audio data from the activewireless device 208. Whether to interrupt audio data from the activewireless device 208 depends on the type of audio data being sent (ifany) by the active wireless device 208 and the type of audio data fromthe requesting wireless device 206. When the active wireless device 208is sending no audio data, any audio data from the requesting wirelessdevice 206 can be communicated to the pair of wireless ear buds 202,204. When the active wireless device 208 is sending audio data for anyof the types shown in rows 304, audio data of types shown in columns 310from the requesting wireless device 206 can interrupt communication ofaudio data from the active wireless device 208, while audio data oftypes shown in columns 308 from the requesting wireless device 206cannot interrupt communication of audio data from the active wirelessdevice 208. Additionally audio data for a voice/video call (included incolumns 312) from the requesting wireless device 206 can interrupt audiodata communication of the active wireless device 208 for any of thetypes shown in rows 304, while a ringtone (also included in columns 312)can be an audio type that is not applicable to the requesting wirelessdevice 206. When the active wireless device 208 is sending audio datafor any of the types shown in rows 306, no audio data type from therequesting wireless device 206 can interrupt communication of audio datafrom the active wireless device 208.

For the row 302 of the table 300, the active wireless device 208 can bein a state in which no audio data is being sent to the pair of wirelessear buds 202, 204, e.g., music is paused and/or a mute function isenabled on the active wireless device 208, and while the active wirelessdevice 208 is in this state, audio data from any source of therequesting wireless device 206 can be passed to either one or both ofthe pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204 to which the active wirelessdevice 208 and the requesting wireless device 206 are wirelesslyconnected. Representative sources for audio data from the requestingwireless device 206 include: alert, navigation, music video, voice mail,alarm, voice call, video call, etc. listed in columns 308, 310, and 312of table 300.

For the rows 304 of the table 300, the active wireless device 208 issending audio data corresponding to one of the following sources: alert,navigation, game audio, music, video, voice recorder, voicemail,personal assistant, or alarm to one or both of the pair of wireless earbuds 202, 204. Depending on the type of source for audio data from therequesting wireless device 206, the audio data from the active wirelessdevice 208 can be interrupted, e.g., paused or muted, to allow the audiodata from the requesting wireless device 206 to take priority forcommunication to one or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204.As shown in the table 300, audio data from the requesting wirelessdevice 206 corresponding to an alert type source or to a navigation typesource listed in columns 308 can be declined, e.g., not take priority,over audio data from the active wireless device 208 of types listed inrows 304 or 306. As also shown in the table 300, any audio data from therequesting wireless device 206 that corresponds to a music, video,voicemail, alarm, voice call, or video call type source, as listed incolumns 310, can be accepted, e.g., take priority, over audio data fromthe active wireless device 208 of types listed in rows 304.

For the rows 306 of the table 300, the active wireless device 208 issending audio data corresponding to one of the following sources:ringtone, voice call, or video call to one or both of the pair ofwireless ear buds 202, 204. For any of these sources listed in rows 306,the audio data from the active wireless device 208 can take priorityover any type of audio data from the requesting wireless device 206. Asindicated in the rows of 306, the predetermined arbitration criteria candetermine that no audio data is to be passed from the requestingwireless device 206 to either or both of the pair wireless ear buds 202,204 when audio data of the types listed in rows 306 are beingcommunicated by the requesting wireless device 206. Those of skill inthe art should recognize that other arbitration rules for determiningwhether to pass audio data from the requesting wireless device 206 (andpotentially interrupt transfer of audio data from the active wirelessdevice 208) to either or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204based at least in part on sources of audio data, and/or based at leastin part on other status criteria of the active wireless device 208 arepossible.

FIG. 3B illustrates a table 350 of another set of predeterminedarbitration criteria to use to determine whether to allow audio datafrom a requesting wireless device 206 to be communicated to one or bothof a pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204 (or equivalent audioreproduction devices). Different types of audio data, which canoriginate from different applications or operating system processes atthe requesting wireless device 206 or at an active wireless device 208,can be assigned different levels of priority. Exemplary priority levelsas shown in FIG. 3B can include “None” (a lowest priority level), and inincreasing level of priority, “Low”, “Medium”, “High”, and “Critical” (ahighest priority level). Representative sources for audio data for thedifferent priority levels are listed in table 350. For the “None” lowestpriority level, audio data of the requesting wireless device that is notBluetooth audio (or more generally is not routable to the pair ofwireless ear buds 202, 204) or is a voice-over are representativeexamples. Additional representative examples for the “None” lowestpriority level can include user interface sound effects, such as keyclicks. For the “Low” priority level, audio data from a notificationalert, a navigation direction, or a game application are representativeexamples. For the “Medium” priority level, audio data from a musicplayback application, a video playback application, a voicemailplayback, or a device alarm are representative examples. For the “High”priority level, a ringtone is a representative example. Anotherrepresentative “High” priority level audio data source is an emergencyalert message. For the “Critical” highest priority level, audio data fora voice call (such as a cellular connection, a Voice over InternetProtocol connection, or a FaceTime Audio connection) or for a video call(such as FaceTime video connection) are representative examples.

Arbitration rules can account for the priority levels of audio data fromdifferent devices to determine which audio data takes priority forcommunication to the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204. In someembodiments, audio data that originates from the requesting wirelessdevice 206 and that has an equal priority or a higher priority to audiodata (if any) that originates from the active wireless device 208 cantake priority, e.g., interrupt communication of audio data from theactive wireless device 208 and allow communication of audio data fromthe requesting wireless device 206 to one or both of the pair ofwireless ear buds 202, 204. In some embodiments, any audio data from arequesting wireless device 206 that has a higher priority than a lowestpriority level, e.g., at a “Low” or higher priority level, can becommunicated to the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204 when no audiodata is being communicated by the active wireless device 208 to the pairof wireless ear buds 202, 204.

In some embodiments, interruption of audio data communicated from theactive wireless device 208 to the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204 isautomatically resumed after completion of communication of the audiodata from the requesting wireless device 206. Thus, for example, musicplayback based at least in part on audio data originating from theactive wireless device 208 can be paused or muted to allow communicationof audio data from the requesting wireless device 206, when the audiodata from the requesting wireless device 206 has an equal or higherpriority to the music playback audio data (e.g., “Medium” prioritylevel). After communication of the audio data from the requestingwireless device 206 completes, music playback by the active wirelessdevice 208 can continue, e.g., by un-pausing or un-muting the audio datafrom the active wireless device 208.

In some embodiments, a set of arbitration rules can be applied in ahierarchical order to determine which of two wireless devices, an activewireless device 208 and a requesting wireless device 206, has priorityfor communicating audio data to a pair of audio reproduction devices,e.g., the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204. As a representativeexample, the active wireless device 208 can be considered a primarydevice that has a default priority for communication with the pair ofwireless ear buds 202, 204 over the requesting wireless device 206,which can be considered a secondary device. Communication for therequesting wireless device 206 can take priority over communication forthe active wireless device 208 in response to selection of therequesting wireless device 206 via a user interface, e.g., by a user ofthe active wireless device 208 and/or the requesting wireless device 206selecting to send audio data for the requesting wireless device 206 tothe pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204. When there is no manualselection of the requesting wireless device 206, a determination ofwhether to send audio data from the requesting wireless device 206 orthe active wireless device 208 to the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204can depend on a priority of the audio data of the requesting wirelessdevice 206 relative to a priority of the audio data of the activewireless device 208. In some embodiments, only audio data having apriority level above a lowest “None” priority level can be consideredfor communication to the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204. Thus, audiodata having the lowest “None” priority level from the requestingwireless device 206 will not interrupt communication of audio data fromthe active wireless device 208, when the active wireless device 208 iscommunicating audio data to the pair of wireless ear buds, and will notbe communicated to the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204 when theactive wireless device 208 is not communicating any audio data. Audiodata having at least a priority level above the lowest “None” prioritylevel, e.g., at a “Low” or higher priority level, can be communicated tothe pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204 from the requesting wirelessdevice 206 when the active wireless device 208 is not communicating anyaudio data. Audio data from the requesting wireless device 206 having atleast a priority level equal or higher to audio data from the activewireless device 208 can be communicated to the pair of wireless ear buds202, 204.

In an embodiment, a processor in one of the pair of wireless ear buds202, 204 determines to accept an interrupt request from the requestingwireless device 206, pauses or mutes the active wireless device 208, andpasses audio data from the requesting wireless device 206 through foraudio reproduction by one or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 202,204, when predetermined arbitration criteria are met. In anotherembodiment, a processor within the active wireless device 208 determinesto accept a request from the requesting wireless device 206 and passthrough audio data from the requesting wireless device 206 to one orboth of the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204 when the predeterminedarbitration criteria are met. Various embodiments are possible in whicha processor in a wireless device, such as in a wireless ear bud 202,204, a requesting wireless device 206, an active wireless device 208, oranother wirelessly connected wireless device can determine whether thepredetermined arbitration criteria are met and allow audio data from therequesting wireless device 206 to pass through while muting or pausingaudio data from the active wireless device 208 until the requestingwireless device 206 finishes passing through the audio data.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart 400 of an example method for determiningwhether to pass audio data from a requesting wireless device 206 to oneor more audio reproduction devices, e.g., to one or both of a pair ofwireless ear buds 202, 204. At 402, a current audio status of an activewireless device 208 is detected. At 404, it is determined whether topass audio data from a requesting wireless device 206 to either or bothof a pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204, based at least in part on acurrent audio status of the active wireless device 208 and onpredetermined arbitration criteria. When it is determined not to passaudio data from the requesting wireless device 206, the method proceedsback to 402. When it is determined to pass audio data from therequesting wireless device 206 to either one or both of the pair ofwireless ear buds 202, 204, at 406, the audio data from the requestingwireless device 206 is passed through to either one or both of the pairof wireless ear buds 202, 204, when the current audio status of theactive wireless device 208 and the audio data from the requestingwireless device 206 meet the predetermined arbitration criteria.

The example method of FIG. 4 can further include an aspect wheredetecting the current audio status of the active wireless device 208includes detecting that the active wireless device 208 is operating in amusic paused audio status, and where determining whether to pass theaudio data from the requesting wireless device 206 to either one or bothof the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204, in response to the currentaudio status of the active wireless device 208 and the predeterminedarbitration criteria includes determining to pass audio data of one ormore types and/or from one or more sources (which, in some embodiments,includes any type or from any source) from the requesting wirelessdevice 206 to either one or both of the wireless ear buds 202, 204. Insome embodiments, this aspect can include determining to pass any alert,navigation, music, video, voicemail, alarm, voice call, or video callaudio data from the requesting wireless device 206 to either one or bothof the wireless ear buds 202, 204.

The example method of FIG. 4 can also include another aspect in whichdetecting the current audio status of the active wireless device 208includes detecting that the active wireless device 208 is operating in astatus in which audio data originates from one of the following sources:alert, navigation, game audio, music, video, voice recorder, voice mail,voice digital personal assistant, or alarm, and in which determiningwhether to pass the audio data from the requesting wireless device 206to either one or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 202, 204 inresponse to the current audio status of the active wireless device 208and the predetermined arbitration criteria includes determining not topass audio data from any alert source or any navigation source anddetermining to pass audio data from any of the following sources: music,video, voicemail, alarm or voice call from the requesting wirelessdevice 206 to either one or both of the wireless ear buds 202, 204.

The example method of FIG. 4 can include another aspect in whichdetecting the current audio status of the active wireless device 208includes detecting that the active wireless device 208 is operatingstatus in which audio data originates for a ringtone or a voice call,and in which determining whether to pass the audio data from therequesting wireless device 206 to either one or both of the pair ofwireless ear buds 202 and 204 in response to the current audio status ofthe active wireless device 208 and the predetermined arbitrationcriteria includes determining not to pass any audio data from therequesting wireless device 206 to either one or both of the wireless earbuds 202, 204. This aspect can include a specific embodiment, in whichthe determining not to pass any audio data from the requesting wirelessdevice 206 to either one or both of the wireless ear buds 202, 204includes determining not to pass audio data for any of the followingsources: alert, navigation, music, video, voice mail, digital personalassistant, alarm, or ringtone audio from the requesting wireless device206 to either one or both of the wireless ear buds 202, 204.

Returning to FIG. 1, the active wireless device 108 and the requestingwireless device 106 are wirelessly connected to each other and both areconnected to one or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104.Aspects of the present technology also include a simplified connectionprocess between devices. For purposes of discussion of this embodiment,the active wireless device 108 can be referred to as a primary deviceand the requesting wireless device 106 can be referred to as a secondarydevice. Either device can be designated as a primary or a secondarydevice depending on their roles in a connection process. Rather thanputting each device into a connection state and taking steps to paireach device shown in FIG. 1 with each other device (e.g., wireless earbuds 102, 104 with a primary device, wireless ear buds 102, 104 with asecondary device, and the primary device with the secondary device), itis possible to eliminate one or more active pairing steps utilizing amethod as illustrated in FIG. 5 and described further herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart 500 of an example method for establishinga connection between a secondary device and either one or both of a pairof wireless ear buds 102, 104. At 502, a connection is establishedbetween a primary device and either one or both of the pair of wirelessear buds 102, 104. In some embodiments, the established connection canbe a Bluetooth connection that causes the primary device to be paired toeither one or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104. In someembodiments, a user can be required to enter or to confirm settings inorder to facilitate an initial pairing between the primary device andone or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104.

At 504, the primary device generates a set of link keys, parameters,and/or settings, etc. that can be used to facilitate seamless pairingbetween the secondary device and either one or both of the pair ofwireless ear buds 102, 104. For example, the primary device can be asmartphone that has established a Bluetooth connection between itselfand one or both of the wireless ear buds 102, 104. The secondary devicecan be a smart watch device that is configured to communicate with theprimary device and is capable of also establishing a Bluetoothconnection with one or both of the wireless ear buds 102, 104. Thosethat are skilled in the art will recognize that the primary device andthe secondary device can include any type of wireless electronic device.

At step 506, the primary device can share the link keys, parameters,and/or settings, etc. with either one or both of the pair of wirelessear buds 102, 104 and also with the secondary device. At step 508, thesecondary device can use the link keys, parameters, and/or settings,etc. to establish a connection with either one or both of the wirelessear buds 102, 104. In some embodiments, the connection is establishedautomatically without intervention by a user of the secondary device.The secondary device can detect the presence of the wireless ear buds102, 104 and utilize the parameters generated by the primary device toautomatically pair with the wireless ear buds 102, 104. The secondarydevice can present an audible indication and/or a visual indication tothe user to alert the user that a connection between the secondarydevice and one or both of the wireless ear buds 102, 104 has beensuccessfully established. Those that are skilled in the art willrecognize that the present technology is not limited to a primary deviceand a secondary device. In additional aspects of the present technology,the primary device can generate additional link keys or parameters thatfacilitate connections between secondary devices and anydevice/accessory that is currently paired or otherwise connected to theprimary device.

In an embodiment, a method performed by an active wireless device 108includes detecting an audio status of the active wireless device 108,the active wireless device 108 and a requesting wireless device 106 bothbeing simultaneously communicatively coupled to one or both of a pair ofwireless ear buds 102, 104. The method further includes the activewireless device 108 determining whether to transmit audio data from therequesting wireless device 106 to the one or both of the pair ofwireless ear buds 102, 104 based at least in part on the audio status ofthe active wireless device 108 and predetermined arbitration criteria.Representative arbitration criteria include one or more rules forprioritizing between audio data associated with the active wirelessdevice 108 and audio data associated with the requesting wireless device106 based at least in part on priority levels for applications oroperating system processes that generate audio data. Table 300,illustrated in FIG. 3A, and Table 350, illustrated in FIG. 3B, eachsummarize exemplary arbitration criteria and rules, in accordance withsome embodiments. The method further includes the active wireless device108 causing the audio data associated with the requesting wirelessdevice 106 to be transmitted to one or both of the pair of wireless earbuds 102, 104 when the audio status of the active wireless device 108and the audio data associated with the requesting wireless device 106satisfy the predetermined arbitration criteria, where the audio statusof the active wireless device 108 includes whether the active wirelessdevice 108 is communicating audio data to one or both of the pair ofwireless ear buds 102, 104.

In some embodiments, the audio status of the active wireless device 108includes the active wireless device 108 operating in a muted state or anaudio paused state in which audio data associated with the activewireless device 108 is not being communicated to the one or both of thepair of wireless ear buds 102, 104, in which case the audio data withthe requesting wireless device 106 is transmitted to the one or both ofthe pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104. In some embodiments, the audiostatus of the active wireless device 108 includes the active wirelessdevice 108 communicating audio data having a first priority level to theone or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104, and the audiodata associated with the requesting wireless device 106 includes audiodata having a second priority level that is equal to or higher than thefirst priority level, in which case the audio data of the secondpriority level associated with the requesting wireless device 106 istransmitted to the one or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 102,104, and transmission of the audio data of the first priority levelassociated with the active wireless device 108 is suspended. In someembodiments, the audio data having the second priority level associatedwith the requesting wireless device 106 includes audio data associatedwith a voice call or a video call. In some embodiments, the audio statusof the active wireless device 108 includes the active wireless device108 communicating audio data having a first priority level to the one orboth of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104, and the audio dataassociated with the requesting wireless device 106 includes audio datahaving a second priority level lower than the first priority level, inwhich case, the audio data of the second priority level associated withthe requesting wireless device is not transmitted to the one or both ofthe pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104. In some embodiments, the audiodata having the first priority level associated with the active wirelessdevice 108 includes audio data associated with a voice call or a videocall, and the audio data having the second priority level associatedwith the requesting wireless device 106 includes audio data associatedwith an application or operating system process other than servicing avoice call or a video call. In some embodiments, the audio data havingthe second priority level associated with the requesting wireless device106 includes audio data corresponding to at least one of an alert, analarm, a navigation application, a game application, media playback, ora voice mail. In some embodiments, the method further includes theactive wireless device 108 detecting a wearing status of the one or bothof the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104, and audio data is transmittedto the one or both of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 from eitherthe active wireless device 108 or the requesting wireless device 106when at least one wireless ear bud 102, 104 has an in-ear status. Insome embodiments, audio data is not transmitted to the one or both ofthe pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 from either the active wirelessdevice 108 or the requesting wireless device 106 when both of the pairof wireless ear buds 102, 104 have an out-of-ear status.

In an embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storesprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed by one or moreprocessors, cause an active wireless device 108 to: (i) detect an audiostatus of the active wireless device 108 communicatively coupled to atleast one wireless ear bud of a pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104; (ii)receive a request to transmit data to the at least one wireless ear budfrom a requesting wireless device 106, the requesting wireless device106 and the active wireless device 108 both being simultaneouslycommunicatively coupled to the at least one wireless ear bud of the pairof wireless ear buds 102, 104, the active wireless device 108 havingcontrol of an audio channel for transmission of audio data to the atleast one wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104;(iii) determine whether to grant the request to transmit the audio dataassociated with the requesting wireless device 106 to the at least onewireless ear bud based at least in part on the audio status of theactive wireless device 108 and predetermined arbitration criteria; and(iv) grant the request to transmit the audio data associated with therequesting wireless device 106 to the at least one wireless ear bud whenthe audio status of the active wireless device 108 and the audio dataassociated with the requesting wireless device 106 satisfy thepredetermined arbitration criteria.

In some embodiments, the audio status of the active wireless device 108includes the active wireless device 108 operating in a muted state or anaudio paused state in which audio data associated with the activewireless device 108 is not being communicated to the at least onewireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104, in whichcase the request to transmit the audio data associated with therequesting wireless device 106 to the at least one wireless ear bud ofthe pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 is granted. In some embodiments,the audio status of the active wireless device 108 includes the activewireless device 108 communicating audio data having a first prioritylevel to the at least one wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless earbuds 102, 104; and the audio data associated with the requestingwireless device 106 includes audio data having a second priority levelthat is equal to or higher than the first priority level, in which casethe request to transmit the audio data of the second priority levelassociated with the requesting wireless device 106 to the at least oneof the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 is granted, and transmissionof the audio data of the first priority level associated with the activewireless device 108 is suspended. In some embodiments, the audio statusof the active wireless device 108 includes the active wireless device108 communicating audio data having a first priority level to the atleast one wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104;and the audio data associated with the requesting wireless device 106includes audio data having a second priority level lower than the firstpriority level, in which case the request to transmit the audio data ofthe second priority level associated with the requesting wireless device106 to the at least one of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 is notgranted. In some embodiments, the active wireless device 108 detects awearing status of the at least one wireless ear bud of the pair ofwireless ear buds 102, 104, and audio data is transmitted to the atleast one wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104from either the active wireless device 108 or the requesting wirelessdevice 106 when at least one wireless ear bud has an in-ear status. Insome embodiments, audio data is not transmitted to the at least onewireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 from eitherthe active wireless device 108 or the requesting wireless device 106when both of the pair of wireless ear buds has an out-of-ear status.

In an embodiment, an apparatus of an active wireless device 108includes: (i) means for detecting an audio status of the active wirelessdevice 108 communicatively coupled to at least one wireless ear bud of apair of wireless ear buds 102, 104; (ii) means for receiving a requestto transmit data to the at least one wireless ear bud from a requestingwireless device 106, the requesting wireless device 106 and the activewireless device 108 both being simultaneously communicatively coupled tothe at least one wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds 102,104, the active wireless device 108 having control of an audio channelfor transmission of audio data to the at least one wireless ear bud ofthe pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104; (iii) means for determiningwhether to grant the request to transmit the audio data associated withthe requesting wireless device 106 to the at least one wireless ear budbased at least in part on the audio status of the active wireless device108 and predetermined arbitration criteria; and (iv) means for grantingthe request to transmit the audio data associated with the requestingwireless device 106 to the at least one wireless ear bud when the audiostatus of the active wireless device 108 and the audio data associatedwith the requesting wireless device 106 satisfy the predeterminedarbitration criteria.

In some embodiments, the audio status of the active wireless device 108includes the active wireless device 108 operating in a muted state or anaudio paused state in which audio data associated with the activewireless device 108 is not being communicated to the at least onewireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104, in whichcase the request to transmit the audio data associated with therequesting wireless device 106 to the at least one wireless ear bud ofthe pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 is granted. In some embodiments,the audio status of the active wireless device 108 includes the activewireless device 108 communicating audio data having a first prioritylevel to the at least one wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless earbuds 102, 104; and the audio data associated with the requestingwireless device 106 includes audio data having a second priority levelthat is equal to or higher than the first priority level, in which casethe request to transmit the audio data of the second priority levelassociated with the requesting wireless device 106 to the at least oneof the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 is granted, and transmissionof the audio data of the first priority level associated with the activewireless device 108 is suspended. In some embodiments, the audio statusof the active wireless device 108 includes the active wireless device108 communicating audio data having a first priority level to the atleast one wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104;and the audio data associated with the requesting wireless device 106includes audio data having a second priority level lower than the firstpriority level, in which case the request to transmit the audio data ofthe second priority level associated with the requesting wireless device106 to the at least one of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 is notgranted. In some embodiments, the apparatus of the active wirelessdevice 108 further includes means for detecting a wearing status of theat least one wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104,and audio data is transmitted to the at least one wireless ear bud ofthe pair of wireless ear buds 102, 104 from either the active wirelessdevice 108 or the requesting wireless device 106 when at least onewireless ear bud has an in-ear status. In some embodiments, audio datais not transmitted to the at least one wireless ear bud of the pair ofwireless ear buds 102, 104 from either the active wireless device 108 orthe requesting wireless device 106 when both of the pair of wireless earbuds has an out-of-ear status.

In an embodiment, a wireless device, e.g., an active wireless device108, includes at least a processor, and a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing processor-executableinstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the wirelessdevice to: (i) detect an audio status of the wireless device; (ii)determine whether to allow a second wireless device, e.g., a requestingwireless device 106, to transmit audio data associated with the secondwireless device to one or more wireless audio reproduction devices basedat least in part on the audio status of the wireless device andpredetermined arbitration criteria; and (iii) allow the second wirelessdevice to transmit the audio data associated with the requestingwireless device to the one or more wireless audio reproduction deviceswhen the audio status of the wireless device and the audio dataassociated with the second wireless device satisfy the predeterminedarbitration criteria, where the second wireless device and the wirelessdevice are both simultaneously communicatively coupled to the one ormore wireless audio reproduction devices, the wireless device havingcontrol of an audio channel for transmission of audio data to the one ormore wireless audio reproduction devices.

In some embodiments, the audio status of the wireless device includesthe wireless device operating in a muted state or an audio paused statein which audio data from the wireless device is not being communicatedto the one or more wireless audio reproduction devices, in which casethe audio data associated with the second wireless device is transmittedto the one or more wireless audio reproduction devices. In someembodiments, the audio status of the wireless device includes thewireless device communicating audio data having a first priority levelto the one or more wireless audio reproduction devices, and the audiodata associated with the second wireless device includes audio datahaving a second priority level that is equal to or higher than the firstpriority level, in which case the audio data of the second prioritylevel associated with the second wireless device is transmitted to theone or more wireless audio reproduction devices, and transmission of theaudio data of the first priority level associated with the wirelessdevice is suspended. In some embodiments, the audio status of thewireless device includes the wireless device communicating audio datahaving a first priority level to the one or more wireless audioreproduction devices, and the audio data associated with the secondwireless device includes audio data having a second priority level lowerthan the first priority level, in which case the audio data of thesecond priority level associated with the second wireless device is nottransmitted to the one or more wireless audio reproduction devices. Insome embodiments, the predetermined arbitration criteria include one ormore rules for prioritizing between audio data associated with thewireless device and audio data associated with the second wirelessdevice based at least in part on priority levels for applications oroperating system processes that generate the audio data.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate exemplary system embodiments. FIG. 6Aillustrates an exemplary system 600 with a conventional system buscomputing system architecture in which components of the exemplarysystem 600 are in electrical communication with each other using a bus605. Exemplary system 600 includes a processing unit (CPU or processor)610 and a system bus 605 that couples various system componentsincluding the system memory 615, such as read only memory (ROM) 620 andrandom access memory (RAM) 625, to the processor 610. The system 600 caninclude a cache 612 of high-speed memory connected directly with, inclose proximity to, or integrated as part of the processor 610. Thesystem 600 can copy data from the memory 615 and/or the storage device630 to the cache 612 for quick access by the processor 610. In this way,the cache 612 can provide a performance boost that avoids processor 610delays while waiting for data. These and other modules can control or beconfigured to control the processor 610 to perform various actions.Other system memory 615 may be available for use as well. The memory 615can include multiple different types of memory with differentperformance characteristics. The processor 610 can include any generalpurpose processor and a hardware module or software module, such asmodule 1 632, module 2 634, and module 3 636 stored in storage device630, configured to control the processor 610 as well as aspecial-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporatedinto the actual processor design. The processor 610 may essentially be acompletely self-contained computing system, containing multiple cores orprocessors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. A multi-core processormay be symmetric or asymmetric.

To enable user interaction with the system 600, an input device 645 canrepresent any number of input mechanisms, such as a microphone forspeech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphical input,keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An output device 635can also be one or more of a number of output mechanisms known to thoseof skill in the art. In some instances, multimodal systems can enable auser to provide multiple types of input to communicate with the system600. The communications interface 640 can generally govern and managethe user input and system output. There is no restriction on operatingon any particular hardware arrangement and therefore the basic featureshere may easily be substituted for improved hardware or firmwarearrangements as they are developed.

Storage device 630 is a non-volatile memory and can be a hard disk orother types of computer readable media which can store data that areaccessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards, solid state memory devices, digital versatile disks, cartridges,random access memories (RAMs) 625, read only memory (ROM) 620, andhybrids thereof.

The storage device 630 can include software modules 632, 634, 636 forcontrolling the processor 610. Other hardware or software modules arecontemplated. The storage device 630 can be connected to the system bus605. In one aspect, a hardware module that performs a particularfunction can include the software component stored in acomputer-readable medium in connection with the necessary hardwarecomponents, such as the processor 610, bus 605, display 635, and soforth, to carry out the function.

FIG. 6B illustrates a computer system 650 having a chipset architecturethat can be used in executing the described methods and can includegenerating and displaying a graphical user interface (GUI). Computersystem 650 is an example of computer hardware, software, and firmwarethat can be used to implement the disclosed technology. System 650 caninclude a processor 655, representative of any number of physicallyand/or logically distinct resources capable of executing software,firmware, and hardware configured to perform identified computations.Processor 655 can communicate with a chipset 660 that can control inputto and output from processor 655. In this example, chipset 660 outputsinformation to output device 665, such as a display, and can read andwrite information to storage device 670, which can include magneticmedia, and solid state media, for example. Chipset 660 can also readdata from and write data to RAM 675. A bridge 680 for interfacing with avariety of user interface components 685 can be provided for interfacingwith chipset 660. Such user interface components 685 can include akeyboard, a microphone, touch detection and processing circuitry, apointing device, such as a mouse, and so on. In general, inputs tosystem 650 can come from any of a variety of sources, machine generatedand/or human generated, e.g., by a user of system 650.

Chipset 660 can also interface with one or more communication interfaces690 that can have different physical interfaces. Such communicationinterfaces 690 can include interfaces for wired networks, wireless localarea networks, broadband wireless networks, as well as wireless personalarea networks. Some applications of the methods disclosed herein caninclude receiving ordered datasets over the physical interface or begenerated by the machine itself by processor 655 and analyzing datastored in storage 670 or 675. Further, the machine can receive inputsfrom a user via user interface components 685 and execute appropriatefunctions, such as browsing functions by interpreting these inputs usingprocessor 655.

It can be appreciated that exemplary systems 600 and 650 can have morethan one processor or be part of a group or cluster of computing devicesnetworked together to provide greater processing capability.

For clarity of explanation, in some instances the present technology maybe presented as including individual functional blocks includingfunctional blocks comprising devices, device components, steps orroutines in a method embodied in software, or combinations of hardwareand software.

In some embodiments the computer-readable storage devices, mediums, andmemories can include a cable or wireless signal containing a bit streamand the like. However, when mentioned, non-transitory computer-readablestorage media expressly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals,electromagnetic waves, and signals per se.

Methods according to the above-described examples can be implementedusing computer-executable (processor-executable) instructions that arestored or otherwise available from computer-readable media. Suchinstructions can comprise, for example, instructions and data whichcause or otherwise configure a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certainfunction or group of functions. Portions of computer resources used canbe accessible over a network. The computer executable instructions maybe, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such asassembly language, firmware, or source code. Examples ofcomputer-readable media that may be used to store instructions,information used, and/or information created during methods according todescribed examples include magnetic or optical disks, flash memory,Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices provided with non-volatile memory,networked storage devices, and so on.

Devices implementing methods according to these disclosures can comprisehardware, firmware and/or software, and can take any of a variety ofform factors. Typical examples of such form factors include laptops,smart phones, small form factor personal computers, personal digitalassistants, and so on. Functionality described herein also can beembodied in peripherals or add-in cards. Such functionality can also beimplemented on a circuit board among different chips or differentprocesses executing in a single device, by way of further example.

The instructions, media for conveying such instructions, computingresources for executing them, and other structures for supporting suchcomputing resources are means for providing the functions described inthese disclosures.

Although a variety of examples and other information was used to explainaspects within the scope of the appended claims, no limitation of theclaims should be implied based on particular features or arrangements insuch examples, as one of ordinary skill would be able to use theseexamples to derive a wide variety of implementations. Further andalthough some subject matter may have been described in languagespecific to examples of structural features and/or method steps, it isto be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claimsis not necessarily limited to these described features or acts. Forexample, such functionality can be distributed differently or performedin components other than those identified herein. Rather, the describedfeatures and steps are disclosed as examples of components of systemsand methods within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: by an active wirelessdevice: detecting an audio status of the active wireless device, theactive wireless device being communicatively coupled to at least one ofa first wireless ear bud or a second wireless ear bud of a pair ofwireless ear buds, the active wireless device being communicativelycoupled to a requesting wireless device and having control of an audiochannel for transmission of audio data to the at least one of the firstwireless ear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wirelessear buds; determining whether to transmit audio data associated with therequesting wireless device to the at least one of the first wireless earbud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear budsbased at least in part on the audio status of the active wireless deviceand predetermined arbitration criteria; and causing the audio dataassociated with the requesting wireless device to be transmitted to theat least one of the first wireless ear bud or the second wireless earbud of the pair of wireless ear buds when the audio status of the activewireless device and the audio data associated with the requestingwireless device satisfy the predetermined arbitration criteria, whereinthe audio status of the active wireless device comprises whether theactive wireless device is communicating audio data or is operating in amuted state or an audio paused state in which audio data is not beingcommunicated to the at least one of the first wireless ear bud or thesecond wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds, and whereincausing the audio data associated with the requesting wireless device tobe transmitted to the at least one of the first wireless ear bud or thesecond wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds comprises:generating a set of link keys for the requesting wireless device toconnect with the at least one of the first wireless ear bud or thesecond wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds, and sharingthe set of link keys with the requesting wireless device and the atleast one of the first wireless ear bud or the second wireless ear budof the pair of wireless ear buds, wherein the requesting wireless deviceutilizes the set of link keys to establish a connection with the atleast one of the first wireless ear bud or the second wireless ear budof the pair of wireless ear buds and transmits the audio data associatedwith the requesting wireless device via the established connection. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein: when the audio status of the activewireless device comprises the active wireless device operating in themuted state or the audio paused state, the audio data associated withthe requesting wireless device is transmitted to the at least one of thefirst wireless ear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair ofwireless ear buds.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: when (i) the audiostatus of the active wireless device comprises the active wirelessdevice communicating audio data having a first priority level to the atleast one of the first wireless ear bud or the second wireless ear budof the pair of wireless ear buds, and (ii) the audio data associatedwith the requesting wireless device comprises audio data having a secondpriority level that is equal to or higher than the first priority level,the audio data of the second priority level associated with therequesting wireless device is transmitted to the at least one of thefirst wireless ear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair ofwireless ear buds and transmission of the audio data of the firstpriority level associated with the active wireless device is suspended.4. The method of claim 3, wherein the audio data having the secondpriority level associated with the requesting wireless device comprisesaudio data associated with a voice call or a video call.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein: when the audio status of the active wireless devicecomprises the active wireless device communicating audio data having afirst priority level to the at least one of the first wireless ear budor the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds, and theaudio data associated with the requesting wireless device comprisesaudio data having a second priority level lower than the first prioritylevel, the audio data of the second priority level associated with therequesting wireless device is not transmitted to the at least one of thefirst wireless ear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair ofwireless ear buds.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein: the audio datahaving the first priority level associated with the active wirelessdevice comprises audio data associated with a voice call or a videocall; and the audio data having the second priority level associatedwith the requesting wireless device comprises audio data associated withan application or operating system process other than servicing thevoice call or the video call.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein: theaudio data having the second priority level associated with therequesting wireless device further comprises audio data corresponding toat least one of an alert, an alarm, a navigation application, a gameapplication, media playback, or a voice mail.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising: detecting a wearing status of each wireless ear budof the pair of wireless ear buds, wherein audio data is transmitted tothe at least one of the first wireless ear bud or the second wirelessear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds from either the active wirelessdevice or the requesting wireless device when at least one of the firstwireless ear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wirelessear buds has an in-ear status.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein: audiodata is not transmitted to the at least one of the first wireless earbud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds fromeither the active wireless device or the requesting wireless device whenboth the first wireless ear bud and the second wireless ear bud of thepair of wireless ear buds have an out-of-ear status.
 10. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing processor-executableinstructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause anactive wireless device to: detect an audio status of the active wirelessdevice communicatively coupled to at least one of a first wireless earbud or a second wireless ear bud of a pair of wireless ear buds; receivea request to transmit audio data associated with a requesting wirelessdevice to the at least one of the first wireless ear bud or the secondwireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds, wherein the activewireless device is communicatively coupled to the at least one of thefirst wireless ear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair ofwireless ear buds and controls an audio channel for transmission ofaudio data to the at least one of the first wireless ear bud or thesecond wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds; grant therequest to transmit the audio data associated with the requestingwireless device to the at least one of the first wireless ear bud or thesecond wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds when the audiostatus of the active wireless device and the audio data associated withthe requesting wireless device satisfy predetermined arbitrationcriteria, wherein the audio status of the active wireless devicecomprises whether the active wireless device is communicating audio dataor is operating in a muted state or an audio paused state in which audiodata is not being communicated to the at least one of the first wirelessear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds,and wherein granting the request to transmit the audio data associatedwith the requesting wireless device to the at least one of the firstwireless ear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wirelessear buds comprises: generating a set of link keys for the requestingwireless device to connect with the at least one of the first wirelessear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds,and sharing the set of link keys with the requesting wireless device andthe at least one of the first wireless ear bud or the second wirelessear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds, wherein the requestingwireless device utilizes the set of link keys to establish a connectionwith the at least one of the first wireless ear bud or the secondwireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds and transmits theaudio data associated with the requesting wireless device via theestablished connection.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumof claim 10, wherein: when the audio status of the active wirelessdevice comprises the active wireless device operating in the muted stateor the audio paused state, the request to transmit the audio dataassociated with the requesting wireless device to the at least one ofthe first wireless ear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair ofwireless ear buds is granted.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 10, wherein: when (i) the audio status of the activewireless device comprises the active wireless device communicating audiodata having a first priority level to the at least one of the firstwireless ear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wirelessear buds, and (ii) the audio data associated with the requestingwireless device comprises audio data having a second priority level thatis equal to or higher than the first priority level, the request totransmit the audio data of the second priority level associated with therequesting wireless device to the at least one of the first wireless earbud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds isgranted and transmission of the audio data of the first priority levelassociated with the active wireless device is suspended.
 13. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein: when (i)the audio status of the active wireless device comprises the activewireless device communicating audio data having a first priority levelto the at least one of the first wireless ear bud or the second wirelessear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds, and (ii) the audio dataassociated with the requesting wireless device comprises audio datahaving a second priority level lower than the first priority level, therequest to transmit the audio data of the second priority levelassociated with the requesting wireless device to the at least one ofthe first wireless ear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair ofwireless ear buds is not granted.
 14. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein execution of theprocessor-executable instructions further causes the active wirelessdevice to: detect a wearing status of each of the first wireless ear budand the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds,wherein audio data is transmitted to the at least one of the firstwireless ear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wirelessear buds from either the active wireless device or the requestingwireless device when at least one of the first wireless ear bud or thesecond wireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds has an in-earstatus.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14,wherein: audio data is not transmitted to the at least one of the firstwireless ear bud or the second wireless ear bud of the pair of wirelessear buds from either the active wireless device or the requestingwireless device when both the first wireless ear bud and the secondwireless ear bud of the pair of wireless ear buds has an out-of-earstatus.
 16. A wireless device comprising: a processor; and anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storingprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor,cause the wireless device to: detect an audio status of the wirelessdevice; and allow a second wireless device to transmit audio dataassociated with the second wireless device to one or more wireless audioreproduction devices when the audio status of the wireless device andthe audio data associated with the second wireless device satisfypredetermined arbitration criteria, wherein: the wireless device iscommunicatively coupled to the one or more wireless audio reproductiondevices, the wireless device having control of an audio channel fortransmission of audio data to the one or more wireless audioreproduction devices, the audio status of the wireless device compriseswhether the wireless device is communicating audio data or is operatingin a muted state or in an audio paused state in which audio data is notbeing communicated to the one or more wireless audio reproductiondevices, and allowing the second wireless device to transmit audio dataassociated with the second wireless device to the one or more wirelessaudio reproduction devices comprises: generating a set of link keys forthe second wireless device to connect with the one or more wirelessaudio reproduction devices, and sharing the set of link keys with thesecond wireless device and the one or more wireless audio reproductiondevices, wherein the second wireless device utilizes the set of linkkeys to establish a connection with the one or more wireless audioreproduction devices and transmits the audio data associated with thesecond wireless device via the established connection.
 17. The wirelessdevice of claim 16, wherein: when the audio status of the wirelessdevice comprises the wireless device operating in the muted state or theaudio paused state, the audio data associated with the second wirelessdevice is transmitted to the one or more wireless audio reproductiondevices.
 18. The wireless device of claim 16, wherein: when (i) theaudio status of the wireless device comprises the wireless devicecommunicating audio data having a first priority level to the one ormore wireless audio reproduction devices, and (ii) the audio dataassociated with the second wireless device comprises audio data has asecond priority level that is equal to or higher than the first prioritylevel, the audio data of the second priority level associated with thesecond wireless device is transmitted to the one or more wireless audioreproduction devices and transmission of the audio data of the firstpriority level associated with the wireless device is suspended.
 19. Thewireless device of claim 16, wherein: when (i) the audio status of thewireless device comprises the wireless device communicating audio datahaving a first priority level to the one or more wireless audioreproduction devices, and (ii) the audio data associated with the secondwireless device comprises audio data having a second priority levellower than the first priority level, the audio data of the secondpriority level associated with the second wireless device is nottransmitted to the one or more wireless audio reproduction devices. 20.The wireless device of claim 16, wherein: the predetermined arbitrationcriteria comprise one or more rules for prioritizing between audio dataassociated with the wireless device and audio data associated with thesecond wireless device based at least in part on priority levels forapplications or operating system processes that generate the audio data.